Currys refused to honor price match

PHK

Alderbank said:

rbn said:

Sold by Amazon EU is not the same as sold by Amazon. It's just like sold by Amazon US, except it's the EU (Germany) instead, and it's an import.

I would not expect them to price match such items. Even Amazon will exclude them from promotions.

Sold by Amazon EU does not mean it is sold by EU(Germany) nor does it mean it is an import.

I've just looked back at the invoice of the last item I bought from Amazon.

Sold by Amazon EU S.à r.l.,
UK Branch
1 Principal Place, Worship Street
London, EC2A 2FA
United Kingdom

I think you've misunderstood. You've bought from the British branch. Other items come from the EU or US branches and include import deposits. 

Undervalued

I read yesterday that the new head of John Lewis has reintroduced "never knowingly undersold" with immediate effect and that it includes online sellers. Maybe worth a thought as they give a two year warranty on all electronics (more on certain items).

Just a thought?

photome

That’s great news, my go to retailer for electricals , nothing on their website yet

edit , it starts on Monday 

screech_78

Yes, new John Lewis NKU policy will include a select list of retailers so only available at the retailers they’ve chosen. They’ll price match Amazon on tech products only and with AO.com. 

Alderbank

Article in the Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/sep/05/john-lewis-to-bring-back-never-knowingly-undersold-price-policy

'The retailer said it would use artificial intelligence tools to match prices both in-store and online for 25 competitors including Marks & Spencer, Boots, Currys, House of Fraser and, on technology only – Amazon – from Monday.'

It will be interesting to see the T&Cs when they appear. Possibly they will say, like Currys' price promise, that the goods must be in stock and sold on the same terms.

JLP give two year warranty on all electronics so this might rule out many of their competitors. Also JLP include free standard delivery for all items over £50. None of their major white goods competitors (Argos, Currys, AO, etc.) currently match this.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis is critical of this apparent good news for shoppers:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/martin-lewis-criticises-john-lewis-9534543

Lewis says that just matching the price is pants. He says they should give you the difference plus 10%, 20% or even 50% back on top

born_again

You do sometimes wonder if ML is trying to kill off UK retailers, with comments like that. 
He should be applauding that there is price matching, not trying to kill it off. 😶‍🌫️

screech_78

Alderbank said:

Article in the Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/sep/05/john-lewis-to-bring-back-never-knowingly-undersold-price-policy

'The retailer said it would use artificial intelligence tools to match prices both in-store and online for 25 competitors including Marks & Spencer, Boots, Currys, House of Fraser and, on technology only – Amazon – from Monday.'

It will be interesting to see the T&Cs when they appear. Possibly they will say, like Currys' price promise, that the goods must be in stock and sold on the same terms.

JLP give two year warranty on all electronics so this might rule out many of their competitors. Also JLP include free standard delivery for all items over £50. None of their major white goods competitors (Argos, Currys, AO, etc.) currently match this.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis is critical of this apparent good news for shoppers:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/martin-lewis-criticises-john-lewis-9534543

Lewis says that just matching the price is pants. He says they should give you the difference plus 10%, 20% or even 50% back on top

Terms and conditions will be largely the same as before. Yes, the item needs to be in stock. And they won’t be matching things like Prime Day on Amazon as you have to pay to be a prime member. 

Guarantee terms won’t be taken into account. If you need to pay for delivery with the competitor, this will be taken into account. So if JL price was £120 and competitor price was £100 plus £10 delivery, you can only claim back £10. 

You’ll also only have 7 days now to make a claim. So if you buy something and then see it cheaper at one of the retailers listed, you can claim it back. 

Grumpy_chap

The thing with all "price match" offers is that they are nothing more than marketing or "invitation to treat".

Ultimately, Curry's (or JL or wherever) are offering the product at £X.  You can buy the product at £X.  If you know that another supplier is offering the product at less than £X, you can ask the store you are in to match that price.  The store is under no obligation to do so and can impose whatever conditions they choose as to whether they will or will not match the price.

The in stock, ready to take away is a very valid criteria for price match as, particularly with electrical items, a store that is out of stock may well reduce the price by £5 or £10 below the normal price to secure the business of customers that are not time-conscious.

35har1old

Skylined said:

Hi there. I was looking to price match a tablet sold on Amazon UK and they refused because it says "sold by Amazon EU" so their claim is that the item is not being sold by a UK retailer. My counter-argument was that the item is sold through Amazon.co.uk , the seller is Amazon themselves, and that Amazon.co.uk is the commercial name but the actual legal name "Amazon EU sarl" , so every time one buys directly from Amazon UK they actually buy from Amazon EU sarl (as it appears on every single invoice) and many if not most of their products have originated from warehouses on the continent. 

Needless to say my words were ignored, in one ear and out of the other, the online chat Currys representative didn't even debate me, he just apologised and said they can't help, while the manager at the store kept saying  "it's a different company using the same name" 😮😲 .

Who do you reckon is right here ? Even if they were right the Currys guys were completely unable to offer a meaningful debate/explanation so maybe you can. Thanks 

When you did the price comparison you would not have a invoice stating who was suppling the tablet as you only have a invoice after purchase.
Have just randomly selected Amazon Fire HD 10.1 under the price it says sold by Amazon no mention of EU
Fastest delivery next day 8th free delivery 10 can't see it coming from EU location
Did Currys and Amazon have the item ready for delivery ?
If not no price match

Andrea15

Just been locked in a 2 day discussion with Currys who are refusing to price match a local store because that store (both physical and online) only delivers to Scotland.
They have been unable to explain to me why that is. I even lodged a complaint this morning to they "complaint team" (I feel it was someone woking from a cupboard or something trying to shut me up).
They terms are (I put them here again for convenience)

Price match terms & conditions

• We'll match the prices of in-stock products before you buy or up to 7 days after.

• We do not match ink products, Sky Glass, delivery charges, installation charges, product protection plans, mobile airtime plans or other services.

• The lower price item must be offered on identical terms (including the same make, size, colour, specification and model number) and we must be able to check the price, stock position and, where relevant, your eligibility to purchase from the competitor.

• We'll match against any other UK retailer store or website price including offer-code discounts. This does not include any exclusive prices/codes (e.g. staff, student, NHS staff blue light) or trade prices, prices only available as part of paid for membership/subscription, any loyalty scheme or reward scheme, 3rd party marketplace seller prices or obvious pricing errors.

• Both us and the competitor must have the product in stock and ready for delivery.

• Where a product is not available online for us to verify price and availability, you will need to provide the competitor contact details, a photo showing the model/model number, that there is stock available, the date/time and the price.

• We reserve the right to refuse a price match where we suspect fraud or unauthorised reseller activity.

If someone can explain it to me, I would be very grateful!